Transcript Week Two

2.0 The Code, Engineers in Industry, Case Studies
Jan 12, 2003
ES 498G:
Engineering Ethics,
Sustainable Development
and the Law (Section 2)
Joel Adams
Engineering Science 498G © J. Adams 2004
Discipline and Enforcement and Case Studies
2.1 Key Topics
1. Professionalism, Ethics, the Code, Enforcement
• Professionalism, Ethical Theory, the Code
• Engineers in Industry, Management, Private Practice
• Negligence, Misconduct, Incompetence, Enforcement
2. The Legal System, Torts, and Contracts
• The Canadian Legal System, Business Organization
• Tort Law: Standard of Care, Liability, Product Safety
• Contract Law:
3. Risk Management, Engineers and the Environment
• Ethics and Management of Risk
• Environmental Ethics and PEO Guidelines
• Sustainable Development
Engineering Science 498G © J. Adams 2004
Discipline and Enforcement and Case Studies
2.2 Schedule and Contact Information
• Lectures
• Mondays, 9AM-NOON
• Rm. 2200 New Teaching Annex
• 13 Scheduled Weeks
• Final Exam: TBA
• Office Hours
• By Appointment or Before or After Class
• Contact Information
• Joel Adams
• [email protected] (Preferred)
• 858-5018 (UWO Research Park)
• http://instruct.uwo.ca/engin-sc/466b/
Engineering Science 498G © J. Adams 2004
Discipline and Enforcement and Case Studies
2.3 Required Texts
Required Texts:
Canadian Professional Engineering Practice and Ethics
2nd Edition, Gordon C. Andrews, John D. Kemper
UWO Bookstore: $69.95 (~377 copies available)
Law For Professional Engineers
3rd Edition, D. L. Marston
UWO Bookstore: $67.95 (~283 copies available)
Engineering Science 498G Course Notes (M3239?)
UWO Bookstore: $41.28 (~136 copies available)
Engineering Science 498G © J. Adams 2004
Discipline and Enforcement and Case Studies
2.4 Course Evaluation Scheme
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2.
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4.
5.
Position Paper (~1500 words) ..……….. 30 %
Case Study (~1500 words) .……………. 30 %
Class Participation ……………………… 10 %
Final Exam ……………………………….. 30 %
Total
100 %
Standard UWO and Engineering policies apply (see
Course Outline and University Calendars for details)
Engineering Science 498G © J. Adams 2004
Discipline and Enforcement and Case Studies
2.5 Important Dates
• Deadlines for adding and dropping second-term half courses
• Tuesday, Jan. 13 (last day to ADD course or SWITCH section)
• Sunday(?), Feb. 15 (last day to DROP w/o Academic Penalty)
• Position Paper
• Friday, Feb. 13, 2004 @ 4:00PM in Section Locker
• “Conference” Week
• Feb. 23 – Feb. 27
• Case Study
• Friday, March 26, 2004 @ 4:00PM in Section Locker
• Final Exam:
• TBA
Engineering Science 498G © J. Adams 2004
Discipline and Enforcement and Case Studies
2.6 Last Class
1. Course Introduction
• Introduction to ES 498G
• Course Outline and Expectations
2. Professionalism, Ethics
• Professionalism and Professional Engineering
• History and Application of Ethical Theory
3. Codes of Ethics
• Hammurabi’s Code
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Hockey Game… D’oh!
Engineering Science 498G © J. Adams 2004
Discipline and Enforcement and Case Studies
2.7 Today’s Class
1. Review of First Class
• Course Info, Engineering, Ethics
2. Codes of Ethics
• Review of the Act, including the Code
3. Problems of Engineers in Industry
• Introduction to Issues
• “Design” approach to ethical issues
• Case Studies from Andrews (Ethics text), Ch. 7
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Assignment
• Position Paper
Engineering Science 498G © J. Adams 2004
Discipline and Enforcement and Case Studies
2.8 Key Topics
1. Professionalism, Ethics, the Code, Enforcement
• Professionalism, Ethical Theory, the Code
• Engineers in Industry, Management, Private Practice
• Negligence, Misconduct, Incompetence, Enforcement
2. The Legal System, Torts, and Contracts
• The Canadian Legal System, Business Organization
• Tort Law: Standard of Care, Liability, Product Safety
• Contract Law:
3. Risk Management, Engineers and the Environment
• Ethics and Management of Risk
• Environmental Ethics and PEO Guidelines
• Sustainable Development
Engineering Science 498G © J. Adams 2004
Discipline and Enforcement and Case Studies
2.9 What makes Engineering unique…
Engineering Science + Engineering Design +
Professionalism and Engineering Ethics =
The Profession of Engineering!
*The Iron Ring is a Symbol of an Engineer’s Obligation
to Society and the Public Interest – it’s not a symbol of
how smart you are or how hard you worked in school!
This Course will help you to learn, value, and apply
concepts and skills that help make Engineering unique…
Engineering Science 498G © J. Adams 2004
Discipline and Enforcement and Case Studies
2.10 The Engineering Profession in Ontario
PEO Licensing Requirements:
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Be at least 18 years old;
Be a citizen or permanent resident of Canada;
Be of good character;
Hold an undergraduate engineering degree from a Canadian
Engineering Accreditation Board (CEAB) accredited program
(or equivalent qualifications);
Successfully complete PEO’s Professional Practice
Examination (PPE); and
Demonstrate at least 48 months of verifiable, acceptable
engineering experience, at least 12 months of which must be
acquired in a Canadian jurisdiction under the supervision of a
licensed professional engineer (P.Eng.)
Engineering Science 498G © J. Adams 2004
Discipline and Enforcement and Case Studies
2.11 Ethical Theories
• Mill’s Utilitarianism
• John Stuart Mill (1806-1873)
• Maximum Benefit (Intensity, Duration of Pleasure for Majority)
• Kant’s Duty-Based Ethics (Formalism)
• Immanuel Kant (1724-1804)
• Universal Principles (Intentions more important than Result)
• Locke’s Rights-Based Ethics
• John Locke (1632-1704)
• Based on Fundamental Individual Rights and Freedoms
• Aristotle’s Virtue Based Ethics
• Aristotle (384BC-322BC)
• Virtues are Compromise between Vices (Golden Mean)
Engineering Science 498G © J. Adams 2004
Discipline and Enforcement and Case Studies
2.12 The Professional Engineers’ Code (Ontario)
“The Code of Ethics is a basic guide to professional
conduct and imposes duties on the practising
professional engineer, with respect to:
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society;
employers;
clients;
colleagues, including employees and subordinates;
the engineering profession; and
himself/herself.”
• from the PEO Website, 2003 (CE)
Engineering Science 498G © J. Adams 2004
Discipline and Enforcement and Case Studies
2.13 The Professional Engineers Act (Ontario)
• “The Professional Engineers Act” (O. Reg. 941)
• Links to the Ontario Regulation 941:
“Code of Ethics (Section 77 of O. Reg. 941)”
http://www.peo.on.ca/publications/code_of_ethics.html
“Professional Misconduct (Section 72 of O. Reg. 941)”
http://www.peo.on.ca/publications/guidelines2001/prof_misconduct.htm
“Misconduct and Incompetence (2, 3, from Section 28)”
http://192.75.156.68/DBLaws/Statutes/English/90p28_e.htm
Engineering Science 498G © J. Adams 2004
Discipline and Enforcement and Case Studies
2.14 Engineers in Industry
• Employer Authority and Employee Duties
• Acceptance of employment offer creates a Contract
• More on employment agreements next week
• More on Contracts in a couple of weeks
• Potential Conflicts with Employers
• Illegal Actions
• Code of Ethics
• Your Personal Conscience or Moral Code
• Guidelines for Professional Practice
• PEO Guideline to Professional Practice
• US NSPE Guidelines to Professional Employment for Engineers
and Scientists
Engineering Science 498G © J. Adams 2004
Discipline and Enforcement and Case Studies
2.15 Common Sources of Conflict
• Dealing with Unions
• Most employees (incl. engineers) have right to unionize
• Managers (incl. engineers) cannot join collective bargaining unit
• Understand limitations regarding Labour Acts and Boards
• Most Canadian engineers are not unionized, but rely on
associations like the CSPE and the OSPE as advocates
• Dealing with Unethical Managers
• Work for change (from within)
• “Whistleblowing”
• Resign in protest
• Let’s look at six case studies…
• From Ch. 7 of Andrews, Kemper
Engineering Science 498G © J. Adams 2004
Discipline and Enforcement and Case Studies
2.16 Common Sources of Conflict
• Dealing with Unions
• Most employees (incl. engineers) have right to unionize
• Managers (incl. engineers) cannot join collective bargaining unit
• Understand limitations regarding Labour Acts and Boards
• Most Canadian engineers are not unionized, but rely on
associations like the CSPE and the OSPE as advocates
• Dealing with Unethical Managers
• Work for change (from within)
• “Whistleblowing”
• Resign in protest
• Let’s look at six case studies…
• From Ch. 7 of Andrews, Kemper
Engineering Science 498G © J. Adams 2004
Discipline and Enforcement and Case Studies
2.17 But first…
• Four Ethical Theories
• Mill’s Utilitarianism
• Kant’s Duty-Based Ethics (Formalism)
• Locke’s Rights-Based Ethics
• Aristotle’s Virtue Based Ethics
• Design Approach to Cases
1. Recognize the Need or Problem
2. Gather Information and Define the Problem
3. Generate Alternative Solutions (Synthesis)
4. Evaluate Alternatives (Analysis)
5. Decision Making and Optimization
6. Implementation
Engineering Science 498G © J. Adams 2004
Discipline and Enforcement and Case Studies
2.18 Also…
• Steps to Confronting Moral Dilemmas
1. Identify relevant moral factors and reasons
2. Gather all relevant facts
3. Rank or prioritize moral considerations
4. Consider alternative resolutions
5. Talk with colleagues for suggestions and perspective
6. Arrive at decision (weigh factors, reasons, facts)
• Look for Guidance (Constraints)
• Legal and Religious codes
• Professional code of ethics
Engineering Science 498G © J. Adams 2004
Discipline and Enforcement and Case Studies
2.19 Case 7.1: Accepting a Job Offer
• Question
• Which of the above three alternatives is best, from the
ethical viewpoint?
• Recommended Solution for Joan Furlong
• Is the first action clearly unethical?
• Is the second the best choice?
• Does the third action find a golden mean?
Engineering Science 498G © J. Adams 2004
Discipline and Enforcement and Case Studies
2.20 Case 7.2: Slow Promotion and Job Dissatisfaction
• Question
• Is it ethical for Smith to seek employment elsewhere?
• Recommended Solution for John Smith
• Is basing the decision on “ROI” or training expenses
fair and ethical to both parties?
• Is one year always (or ever) a good guideline?
• When should employers stipulate contract lengths?
• Should Smith give reasons for leaving?
Engineering Science 498G © J. Adams 2004
Discipline and Enforcement and Case Studies
2.21 Case 7.3: Part-Time Employment (Moonlighting)
• Question
• Is it ethical for Fortescue to carry on his part-time
employment in this manner?
• Recommended Solution for Philip Fortescue
• Should engineers be allowed to moonlight?
• What does the Code of Ethics say?
• Does Fortescue’s lack of getting a raise or promotion
justify his actions in any way?
• Can he be disciplined under the code or require liability
insurance to practice?
Engineering Science 498G © J. Adams 2004
Discipline and Enforcement and Case Studies
2.22 Case 7.4: Engineers as Members of Unions
• Question
• Is it ethical for engineers to join the shop labour union?
• Recommended Solution for Jeanne Giroux
• If it is ethical and legal, is this the right question?
• Should they join a union?
• Should they join the shop union?
• What would you do?
Engineering Science 498G © J. Adams 2004
Discipline and Enforcement and Case Studies
2.23 Case 7.5: False or Misleading Eng. Data in Ads
• Question
• What should Adams do?
• Recommended Solution for Audrey Adams
• Would inform your boss first?
• Would you document your correspondence?
• What if they were dishonest?
• What could happen to you if you didn’t act?
Engineering Science 498G © J. Adams 2004
Discipline and Enforcement and Case Studies
2.24 Case 7.6: Disclosing Proprietary Information
• Question
• What would you do if you were the engineer from
Company A?
• Recommended Solution for Engineer A
• Does the cost of the research factor into the decision?
• Could you go directly to the other company or public?
• What if you weren’t a P.Eng? Would you still consider
public safety over your employer? Would you risk your
job even if you weren’t 100% about the issue?
• What is the problem wasn’t safety related?
Engineering Science 498G © J. Adams 2004
Discipline and Enforcement and Case Studies
2.25 Review of this Class
• Topics
• Review of Introduction
• Engineering Code of Ethics and Act
• Introduction to the Problems of Engineers in Industry
• Introduction and Discussion of Case Studies
• Readings
• Andrews, Ch. 7: Case Studies
• Code of Ethics, Professional Misconduct (Notes)
• Notes, pg. 23-33 (Educating the Engineering Professional)
• Assignments
• Position Paper Assigned (Due Feb 13, 2004)
Engineering Science 498G © J. Adams 2004
Discipline and Enforcement and Case Studies
2.26 Next Class: Monday Jan 19, 2004
• Topics
• Introduction to the Problems of Engineers in
Management
• Introduction and Discussion of Case Studies
• Readings
• Andrews, Ch. 8, Case Studies
• Notes, pg. 47-48 (“Swimming Upstream”)
• Assignments
• Continue to work on your Position Paper (Due Feb 13,
2003)
Engineering Science 498G © J. Adams 2004
Discipline and Enforcement and Case Studies
Quick “Plug” for ES 466b
• ES 466b
• Technological Entrepreneurship and Innovation
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Unique Course for Senior Engineers at Western
Thursday Nights 7:00PM to 9:00PM
Elborn College Room 2116
No TESTS or EXAMS
Form Small Groups to write a Business Plan
Taught by me, with the Founder of EK3 Technologies
Check out the ES 466b website or Thursday’s class for more…
Joel Adams
Ken Stuart
Engineering Science 498G © J. Adams 2004